Published: January 24, 2007 08:45 am      

Is perception worse than reality?

Chairman of tourism board says impression of dry lake is inaccurate

Perception is more likely to damage Pulaski County’s $84 million tourist industry than the reality of a low lake level during the summer recreational season.

Mark Bastin, board chairman of the Somer-set-Pulaski County Conv-ention and Visitors Bur-eau, agrees that the media can’t ignore the potentially dangerous situation at Wolf Creek Dam but widespread news coverage about a drastically lower water level and photographs of bare banks may leave an inaccurate impression that the lake is dry.

Because of the unstable structural condition of Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland is being lowered to 680 feet above sea level and will remain at that level throughout 2007. Normal water levels are 723 feet during the tourist season and 690 feet in the wintertime.

“When we drop to 680 (feet above sea level) there are still 35,000 to 40,000 acres of water in Lake Cumberland,” Bastin pointed out. “We’ve still got a lot of water to play in.”

The lake at summer pool has about 65,000 acres of water averaging 90 feet deep. It has 1,255 miles of shoreline.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Monday that the lake level is being lowered immediately to 43 feet below the tree line to relieve pressure on Wolf Creek Dam. The 5,738-foot-long earthen and concrete dam that impounds Lake Cumberland has been declared at “high risk” for structural failure and a seven-year rehabilitation is under way.

Bastin said the focus of the tourist promotional board will be to try to get the word out that Lake Cumberland is still a water playground.

“We may do a little TV,” said Bastin, obviously referring to television stations in Ohio, base of the “Ohio Navy” that plies Lake Cumberland all summer. He said the tourist promotional group will also attend conventions and shows to spread the word that Lake Cumberland is still a viable tourist destination.

In making the announcement about lowering the water level, Lt. Col. Steven J. Roemhildt, commander of the Corps’ Nashville District, said the Corps is aware of the negative economic impact of the situation. Some 40 of the 48 boat ramps on the lake are not usable at the 680 level. Roemhildt said the Corps is trying to get the money to extend the ramps into the water.

Carolyn Mounce, executive director of the Somerset-Pulaski County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the lake draws 1 million visitors to Pulaski County each year. In 2005, the latest period for which economic statistics are available, visitors spent $84 million dollars in Pulaski County.

In The House, a Lexington-based advertising agency, will be used again this year to promote Lake Cumberland, according to Bastin.